7 Ways Nutrition Affects Anxiety And Depression

Not many people know that a poor diet can cause mental problems, such as anxiety and depression.

You are what you eat. Without physical and mental health, our body can’t produce the endorphins and other chemicals that make you feel happy, energetic and optimistic.

The modern diet can damage the nervous system and cause depression and anxiety. Here you can find out how nutrition can affect your anxiety and depression.

1. Omega-3s

Many studies have shown that people who ate more omega-3s had an increased volume of gray matter in areas of the brain important in mood regulation. This means that omega-3s can help relieve depression, anxiety, and other mood disorders.

2. Fruits and vegetables

Studies have also found that individuals, who ate more fruits and veggies, had a reduced the risk of developing anxiety disorders, depression, stress and other mood disorders. Vitamin C, A and beta- carotene, are considered antioxidants and have many health benefits.

They are also great for fighting depression and reducing anxiety. Lycopene is carotenoid found in some vegetables, but it is found in particularly high amounts in tomatoes. Lycopene can also help in the treatment of depression. There are also other fruits and veggies that can help you manage your depression symptoms.

3. Magnesium

Magnesium is an essential nutrient in your body. It is needed for the normal cell growth, it can help keep blood sugar levels stable, enables many biochemical processes in the human body that require magnesium, it is needed to keep muscle and nerve functions normal, and also magnesium is needed to for making and releasing serotonin in the brain. Without the optimal magnesium dose every day, our brain will not properly release serotonin, which leads to depression and anxiety.

4. GMO

In recent years, many countries have banned Gmo foods, for obvious reasons. GMOs can affect your gut bacteria levels by allowing the growth of harmful bacteria, and decrease the number of good bacteria needed for good mental health. Various studies have found that Gmo foods should not be eaten, and much more emerge each week.

5. Herbicides

Glyphosate is the world’s most used herbicide. It can cause nutritional deficiencies that can lead to a variety of health problems. These nutrients are important for proper brain development and maintaining mood, and they help remove toxins from the body.

6. Sugar

Eating sugar creates many chemical reactions that occur in our body which can cause inflammation and many other health problems. Sugar can also disrupt your hormonal balance and weaken your immune system, it can affect your gut bacteria, wreak havoc on your digestive health and on the brain.

And even more, sugar is a major cause of obesity and it can (especially fructose) contribute to insulin and leptin resistance. Insulin and leptin are important for optimal physical and mental health and can also help reduce depressive behaviors.

7. Food additives

Artificial food additives, (particularly aspartame), can damage your brain. And even more, it can cause anxiety, depression and many other health problems. Artificial food dyes colorings can also affect your mood.